Watching this season has been mostly a chore, save for a handful of pretty cool moments. The season isn’t *bad*, it’s just that it would’ve played so much better as a Season 3 or 4, not a Season 8. I’ve come to realize after 7.5 seasons that what I really, truly *hate* about this show is how the people in CTU always give snarky, suspicious looks behind other people’s backs. It’s been happening since Day 1, but I didn’t realize how grating and obnoxious it is until now.

Anyway, about Monday’s double feature. The first hour was there, but the second hour blew me away, for two reasons:

-The reveal that Hassan was already killed was overwhelming. It was jaw-dropping and after it set in, it was tearful. I didn’t realize how attached I was to the character. Anil Kapoor did such a tremendous job with the character.

-The scene where Cole confronts Dana in the parking garage was a near-perfect recreation of Jack confronting Nina way back at the end of Day 1. Hastings = George Mason and Arlo = Tony (plus I guess Hassan = Teri Bauer). We even got a brief glimpse of the “pure evil” stare into the camera from Dana (but nothing will ever frighten as much as Nina’s stare). One of the elements of this season was Renee’s going past the point of no return and becoming a “new Jack.” But in reality, Cole is the new Jack. Nina’s betrayal is what sent Jack down the dark path to become the damaged man he is today, and Dana’s betrayal will do the same thing to Cole. It’s kinda poetic that the show will end after we watch the circle complete itself and the loop starts up again (sorry for the Lost-speak).

Another thing from Monday. At the beginning of the two hours, they show the NYC skyline at 6AM, but it must be bizarro NYC, because the sun was rising in the West. I just laughed it off...until Chloe used the sun and shadows to determine that Hassan was being held in an East-facing apartment. Then I went back to look at the skyline just to make sure I was right. Not only was it a shot at sunset, but I think I also spotted the Twin Towers way off in the distance. So, were they using stock footage from ten years ago, or what?

Originally posted by Mr ShhAnother thing from Monday. At the beginning of the two hours, they show the NYC skyline at 6AM, but it must be bizarro NYC, because the sun was rising in the West. I just laughed it off...until Chloe used the sun and shadows to determine that Hassan was being held in an East-facing apartment. Then I went back to look at the skyline just to make sure I was right. Not only was it a shot at sunset, but I think I also spotted the Twin Towers way off in the distance. So, were they using stock footage from ten years ago, or what?

Somebody who knows New York better than I - and there are/were plenty of them posting here - could maybe help you if I provide this image:

>Plot Synopsis: After being discharged from the local police force, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) travels to Texas with his girlfriend Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) to face down his demons and visit an old friend.